Shepherd's Bush armed robber jailed for eight years

AN ARMED robber part of gun-toting gang which travelled across west London holding up banks and bookmakers has been jailed.

Stacy Burke, of Braybrook Street, Shepherd's Bush, was sentenced to eight years in jail at Kingston Crown Court last week, for his part in a string of raids between May and September, 2010.

The 24-year-old admitted being a member of a four-strong gang and attempting to rob security workers making a cash in transit delivery to The Royal Bank of Scotland branch, in Uxbridge, at 1.15pm on September 13 and an armed robbery of Reels, in West Drayton, at 9.45pm on September 20.

Fellow gang member Jamie Baker, 33, of Hayes, was jailed for 10 years after a string of attempted armed raids including one on William Hill, in South Africa Road, Shepherd's Bush on June 17 last year.

The pair, who used shotguns, revolvers and Mac 10 pistols, were caught after their DNA, found at the scene of a motorbike collision in North Acton, was linked to a number of the crime scenes.

Officers from Barnes Flying Squad launched a surveillance campaign to track the gang and arrested Burke and Baker attempting to rob a cash van in Ruislip High Street that October.

Detective inspector Jason Prins, of Barnes Flying Squad, said: “These four men had absolutely no regard for their victims as they drove around on motorbikes, some of which were stolen, looking for premises to rob.

“A detailed investigation and surveillance operation carried out by the Flying Squad enabled a wealth of evidence to be gathered, which resulted in the defendants pleading guilty before trial.”

Fellow gang members Tyrone Tocher, 22, of Feltham, received a six year sentence, and Shabaz Razaq, 31, of Isleworth, was sentenced to four years in prison.